Phlox plant named ‘Barsixtytwo’

ABSTRACT

A new  Phlox paniculata  plant particularly distinguished by coral-red inflorescences and a vigorous growth habit, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phlox paniculata.

Variety denomination: ‘Barsixtytwo’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety botanically known as Phlox paniculata, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘Barsixtytwo’. The new variety originated from a crossing made in 2005 in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands. The female parent was the proprietary Phlox paniculata plant ‘98.44.32.01p’ (unpatented), while the male parent was the proprietary Phlox paniculata plant ‘97.44.50.10p’ (unpatented).

‘Barsixtytwo’ was first propagated by vegetative cuttings in 2006 in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands and has been subsequently asexually propagated by vegetative cuttings in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands since 2006. The present invention has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations via vegetative cuttings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal horticultural practices in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands.

-   -   1. Coral-red inflorescences; and     -   2. A vigorous growth habit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This Phlox paniculata plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, buds, and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of an inflorescence.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘Barsixtytwo’. The data which defines these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands. The plant history was taken on six month old plants that were grown indoors without the use of artificial light and were grown in large crates of six plants each with approximately 50 pounds of peat per crate and with a growing period between May and September. The plants were pinched once at two to three weeks after planting and their stems were harvested regularly. Color readings were taken under natural light outdoors. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2001).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Polemoniaceae.         -   Botanical name.—Phlox paniculata.         -   Common name.—Phlox.         -   Denomination.—‘Barsixtytwo’. -   Plant:     -   -   Growth habit.—Vigorous.         -   Form.—Narrow, bushy.         -   Height (measured from the top of the soil).—30.0 cm to 40.0             cm.         -   Diameter or area of spread.—30.0 cm.         -   Propagation.—Via vegetative cuttings.         -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant.—4 months.         -   Lastingness of inflorescence on the plant.—3 to 4 weeks.         -   Outdoor plant performance.—Good.         -   Time to initiate and develop roots.—2 weeks.         -   Time to produce rooted cutting or liner (young plant).—5             weeks.         -   Root description.—Fibrous. -   Branches:     -   -   Number of branches per plant.—3.         -   Length of lateral branches.—30.0 cm to 40.0 cm.         -   Diameter of lateral branches.—15.0 cm. -   Stems:     -   -   Shape in cross-section.—Rounded.         -   Color.—RHS 143C.         -   Diameter.—1.0 cm.         -   Stem length.—30.0 cm to 40.0 cm.         -   Internode length.—2.0 cm.         -   Anthocyanin.—Absent.         -   Pubescence.—Absent. -   Leaves:     -   -   Color (immature leaves).—Upper surface: RHS 138A. Lower             surface: RHS 138A.         -   Color (mature leaves).—Upper surface: RHS 137A. Lower             surface: RHS 138A.         -   Quantity of leaves (per lateral branch).—24.         -   Apex.—Pointed.         -   Base.—Smooth.         -   Margin.—Smooth.         -   Size.—Length: 9.0 cm. Width: 4.0 cm.         -   Shape.—Oblong elliptic.         -   Pubescence (both upper and lower surfaces).—Absent.         -   Venation.—Type: Feather-like. Color: RHS 144A.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Petiole.—Color: RHS 144A. Size: Length: 3.0 mm. Width: 2.0             mm. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Color.—RHS 143C.         -   Length: 3.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—3.0 mm.         -   Pubescence.—Absent. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Inflorescence type.—Cyme, globe to pyramid formed.         -   Arrangement.—Terminal and lateral.         -   Height.—15.0 cm.         -   Width.—10.0 cm.         -   Aspect.—Upright.         -   Shape.—Circle.         -   Fragrance.—Present.         -   Quantity of flowers and buds per plant.—Greater than 100. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower buds.—Color: RHS 70A. Shape: Oblong. Size: Length:             3.0 cm. Diameter: 1.0 cm.         -   Pedicel.—Color: RHS 143C. Length: 1.0 cm. Diameter: 2.0 mm.             Texture: Smooth.         -   Calyx.—Shape: Tubular. Length: 3.0 cm. Diameter: 3.0 mm.         -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Single whorl. Number: 5. Shape: Sharp             triangle. Apex: Acute. Base: Fused. Margin: Smooth. Size:             Length: 1.5 cm. Width: 20 mm. Color (immature, upper and             lower surfaces): RHS 144A. Color (mature, upper and lower             surfaces): RHS 147A.         -   Corolla.—Size: Height (flower depth): 4.0 cm. Diameter:             3.0 cm. Shape: Circlular. Color: Inside: RHS 58A. Outside:             RHS 70A. Arrangement: Single whorl. Shape: Pie-pieced with             tube. Apex: Flattened. Base: Rounded. Margin: Smooth.         -   Petals.—Arrangement: Single whorl. Number (per flower): 5.             Size: Length (from the throat): 1.0 cm. Width: 1.0 cm. Color             (when opening): Upper surface: RHS 58A. Lower surface: RHS             70A. Color (fully opened): Upper surface: RHS 58A. Lower             surface: RHS 70A. Color fading to: RHS 67A. Petal pubescence             (both surfaces): Absent. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Quantity (per flower): 5. Anther: Shape: Oblong.             Length: 2.0 mm. Color: RHS 158A. Pollen: Amount: Sparse.             Color: RHS 158A. Filament: Length: 20.0 mm. Color: RHS 137B.         -   Pistil.—Quantity: 1. Color: RHS 137B. Size: Length: 20.0 mm.             Width: 0.2 mm. Style: Length: 35.0 mm. Color: RHS 186B.             Stigma: Shape: Three lobes. Color: RHS 138A. Ovary: Ovary             color: RHS 144A. -   Disease and insect resistance: Plant is tolerant to powdery mildew -   Pest resistance: None observed

COMPARISON WITH COMMERCIAL VARIETY

‘Barsixtytwo’ differs from the commercial variety ‘Barthirtysix’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,721) in that ‘Barsixtytwo’ has coral-red inflorescences, while ‘Barthirtysix’ has red inflorescences. Additionally, the apex of the petals is flattened and apex of the sepals is acute in ‘Barsixtytwo’, whereas the apex of the petals is rounded and the apex of the sepals is acuminate in ‘Barthirtysix’. 

1. A new and distinct variety of Phlox paniculata plant as described and shown herein. 